TMC's Kabir Suman to vote against UPA

Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Kabir Suman, today, said he will defy his party's whip and vote against the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government on issues like the anti-Maoist Operation Green Hunt and the proposed seeds bill.

Addressing reporters at the Kolkata Press Club, the singer-turned-politician termed the Maoists as "true patriots" fighting to prevent capture of tribal lands and destruction of culture by corporate houses with the help of the government.

Suman, whose party is the second largest UPA constituent, attacked the central government for launching an extensive operation against the Leftwing rebels in Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

"I opposed the Operation Green Hunt since it was launched by the UPA government to kill innocent people in the name of flushing out the Maoists. And I will oppose it despite being a part of the UPA government," said Suman.

"Though I am a part of the UPA, I will definitely ignore the party whip and oppose the polices of the government which will affect the interest of the people".

Suman declared he will cast his vote against the seeds bill, which is likely to be tabled in the monsoon session of parliament.

"The speaker and the Trinamool Congress may terminate me from my post for voting against the party whip, but I stick to my stand," said Suman.

He also warned that the ultras will not allow government domination of tribal land despite the deployment of the joint forces.

Suman opposed any move to deploy the army in the rebel-infested areas.

"I believe the central government will realise what is war if it deploys the army to fight against the Maoists. The Maoists will make them realise what is true war," said Suman.

"By deploying the army, several innocent people will be killed and many more will be displaced from their native land, but the Maoists cannot be defeated," said Suman.

The MP said his relationship with Trinamool got strained due to his stand against the Operation Green Hunt.

He had even offered to resign from his post of MP in April but was dissuaded by writer Mahasweta Devi.

However, Suman's public statement today made it clear that he will continue his support for the Maoists even though the union home ministry has warned intellectuals neither to maintain contacts with the rebels nor propagate their ideology.

The notice issued by the ministry on May 6 states that under Section 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, any person supporting the Maoists would be liable to be punished.